After a death: what needs to be arranged? Checklist

The first days

A doctor confirms the death. The doctor issues the certificate needed for the registration.
Choose a funeral director. They usually also register the death with the municipality.
Inform family, friends and neighbours. Agree who calls whom, so nobody hears it second-hand.
Look for last wishes or a will. A notary can check whether a will has been registered.

Contact a notary. The notary guides the estate and establishes who the heirs are.
Inform the bank. The accounts are frozen. Ask which costs, such as the funeral, can still be paid.
Cancel or transfer contracts. Think of insurance, energy, water, internet, mobile phone and subscriptions.
Have the post forwarded. For a fee, bpost can forward the post to another address.
Have the estate declaration prepared. In Flanders it must be filed within four months of the death (for a death in Belgium). The notary often does this.

Unsure about the inheritance? Do not remove anything yet. Taking or selling belongings can count as accepting the inheritance. Ask the notary for advice first.
Is it a rented home? Inform the landlord. Discuss the end date and the inventory of fixtures at departure.
Decide with the heirs what stays. Put those items in one room or mark them, so there is no doubt later.
Set important papers aside. Bank papers, deeds, policies, photos and letters. We do this too during the clearance, following our protocol.
Keep water and power on and note the meter readings. Only cancel the supplies after the handover of the home.
Plan the clearance. Request a free home visit. You receive one fixed price on paper and then decide in your own time.

This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different; if in doubt, ask your notary.